Steering mechanism



H. E. YARROW.

STEERING NIECHANISIVI. APPLICATION FILED DEC.26| ISIS.

1,373,375. Patented Mar. 29, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

H. E. YAHRov\/ SEEmNG'MI-ICHANISM. z APPLICATION FILED DEC.26. 1918. 1,373,375 Patented Mar. 29, 1921..

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

usarse lerares earner serien HAROLD E. YARRO, OF SCOTSTOUN, SCOTLAND.

STEERING MECHANISM.

Leraars.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pagutgdlwag 29, 1921,

Original application filed October 1.3, 1917, Serial No. 196,436. Divided and this application led December 2e, 191s.

.To all ifi/tom t may concern.' n

ide it known that l, HAROLD EDGAR YAR- aow, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing in Scotstoun, Scotland, have invented certain new and useful Improve mentsin Steering Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

Devices are known for steering andinaneuvering ships in which two rudders are provided, which may be operated independently or in unison. Under ordinary conditions one rudder is held amidships, while the ship is steered by the other, but if a rapid change of course is required, both rudders can act together. lt is much easier to keep a straight course with a small than with large rudder area, while a large area must be provided for circumstances in which a powerful turning effort is necessary.

it has also been proposed to provide means by which two or more rudder posts are linked or otherwise connected together,

so t at the rudders can be causedto turn` through equal angles either in the same or opposite directions, for the purpose, in the latter case, of maintaining a straight course but reducing the speed of the ship.

According to the invention two rudders, or sets of rudders, may be placed at any suitable positions for steering and maneuvering the ship and operated from the same station, either independently or 'conjointly7 so that all the rudders are moved through equal angles in the same or in the opposite directions. The operating means are such that the rudder posts may be at any distance apart, and are not linked or otherwise connected together.

ln the accompanying drawings Figure l shows in plan an example of the disposition of the members controlling the rudders; Fig. 2v shows diagrammatically in plan the rudders acting in unison to turn the ship. ln Fig. 3 the rudders are acting in opposition, so that the course is not altered, but the speed is rapidly reduced. Fig, l shows in plan an arrangement of pipe connections by which the rudders are controlled according to the invention.

Referring to Fig. l, a hand wheel A is adapted to operate in Well known manner a rudder post B disposed on the port side of the ship, teleinotor X and fluid yconducting pipes m, m representing means of transseriai No. 268,330.

mitting the movements of the hand Wheel Ato motor D. F 1s the gearing connecting the motor with slides FL linked to the head ofthe rudder posti A hand wheel A. is adapted to operate a rudder'post B disposed` on the starboard side of the ship. Telemotor Xy and pipes n., a, transmit the movements of the hand wheel A tof motor D which ley-gearingk E operates the slides F linked to the head of As shown in Fig. 4L- the pipes m, fm are connected by intermediate pipes o, o to the pipes a, n. rlhe pipe 0 is divided into branches p and Q connected, respectively, with the pipes a and a. The pipe 0 is divided into branches g p connected respectively to the pipes n and 'n'. Valves 1", r shown as comprising plugs s, s are controlled by levers t, t connected with an arm u operated by a handle 0. When the arm u is in the position shown in Fig. 4e, the hand wheels A, A', respectively, control the rudder posts B, B- independently of one another.

Then the arm u is moved to the left, the pipe m is put into communication with the pipe n and the pipe m with the pipe a and on the operation of either the han'd wheel A or A the two rudders will move through equal angles in opposite directions. "i

lf the arm u is moved to the right pipe m is put into communication with pipe a and pipe m with pipe a and the operation of either hand wheel will move the rudders through equal angles in the same direction. j

Having now described the nature ofthe said invention and the best means I know ofV carrying the same into practical effect, I claim l. In ships provided with two rudders,

means for operating said rudders including main iiuld pressure supply pipes, devices for controlling:r the pressurein said main pipes, n and auxiliary iuld pressure pipes suitably connecting together said main supply pipes, and valves in said auxiliary pipes whereby both rudders can be moved throughequal angles in the samel or in opposite directions or each rudder can be independently operated.

2. In ships provided with two rudders,

means for operating` said rudders including pipes n, n leading to the other rudder can be closed7 opened or interchanged.

3. In ships provided with two rudders, means for operating said rudders including fluid pressure supply pipes m, m and a, n', telemotors controlling the pressure in said pipes, means for controlling` said telemotors, branched pipes 0,` 0 connecting said pipes m, m with said pipes n, n, junctions in the branches of said branch pipes, Valve plugs in said junctions,V a movable arm and levers connected to said arm by which the connections between said pipes m, m leading to one rudder and said pipes n, n leading` to the other rudder can be closed, opened or interchanged.

ln testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HAROLD E. YARROW. 

